We're planning to fly into Paris ( CDG )and take the train to Bayeux and rent a car there to visit Normandy. Does this involve a lot of changing of trains ? Am I better off just renting the car at the airport ? <BR> Also would like your hotel recommendations in Bayeux. <BR> Thanks, <BR> Tom

Hello Tom, <BR> <BR>My Mom and I took the train from Paris (Gare St. Lazare) to Bayeux. We caught the 8:50am train and didn't have to transfer at all. We arrived 10:50am. There are not many trains to Bayeux. Our other choice was the 4pm train and I belive there was another a.m. train. We enjoyed Hotel D'Argouges in the town center (21 rue Saint-Patrice, 14400 Bayeux - phone 33 2 31 92 88 86). We had a garden view and paid 450FF/night which included all taxes. The room was large with a queen and twin bed and a large bathroom (tub, no curtain). This was in May 1999. Across the street in the plaza there is a Saturday market, which is great! <BR> <BR>I can't help you with your question about driving from CDG. Hopefully someone else can. <BR> <BR>We rented a car once we got to Bayeux and visited the D-Day beaches and did a day trip to Mont St Michel. <BR> <BR>

Tom <BR>We loved this informal rambling B&B run by Col. and Mrs. Chilcott, who are British. We stayed there in June of this year and would definitely return. The colonel provides battlefield tours, but you should reserve early. You would need a car. Driving in the Bayeux area is easy. <BR> <BR>Le Manor des Doyens <BR>St. Loup Hors <BR>Bayeux <BR>14400 France <BR> <BR>From US: 011 33 2 31 22 39 09 <BR>[email protected] <BR>www.vrbo.com/vrbo/352.htm <BR> <BR>Bon voyage

Hey Betsy, <BR> <BR>they changed the name of the Manoir? wow. it sounded like a few names were in the running. <BR> <BR>I too loved staying with the Colonel and his wife Rosemary. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a history buff like I am. <BR> <BR>Drive from CDG, it is a breeze you can stop off on little detours on the way - part of the fun! <BR> <BR>Beth

My husband and I rented a car at CDG in June and drove to Caen where we stayed so I can't help you with a hotel in Bayeux. But it was very easy getting to Caen on the super highway and I am sure you would have no trouble getting to Bayeux. It takes about three hours. <BR>The tolls run about $15 if I remember correctly but the road was very nice. You really will enjoy driving through Normandy. Try to go to Honfleur.

We just returned from a trip to Normandy. Picked up an Avis car in Versailles, drove to Honfleur (very scenic town, worth a stop for lunch if you have the time to drive out there) and stayed in a B&B between Bayeux and the American Cemetery. The car was very necessary for getting around to all the sights. A tour might be good, but this area is fun to explore at your own pace. I think you're right to rent in Bayeux, which is relatively easy to drive and park in. We had to drop our car off in Caen, which is quite a bit bigger and involved some driving and logistics hassles -- I suggest you avoid Caen with the car if possible and just use the train for getting between Paris, Bayeux and Caen. The only problem is that you can't book an international company out of Bayeux. There are 3 local companies in Bayeux, as I understand it; I believe I have their contact info somewhere. E-mail me if you need this. <BR> <BR>Can't help with hotels in Bayeux. What about a B&B? There are hundreds of B&B's in the region. We stayed in Anne-Marie Lefevre's 1600's stone farm house near Bayeux with two nice rooms, a large bath, and breakfast in her kitchen (275 ff for the three of us.) It really felt like what I'd imagined rural France to be. You can see about 320 other B&B's at this site: <BR>http://www.gites-de-france-calvados....ev/chambre.asp

In May we stayed at the Hotel Churchill in Bayeux, for 620FF a night including breakfast, (14-16 rue Saint Jean). Nice hotel, our room overlooked the pedestrian street Saint Jean. Huge bathroom, with a large tub. I booked the room off the internet and paid in advance and just presented my voucher at the time of check-in and check-out, no problem at all. I don't remember the web link, but I can look for it if you like. The room didn't have a hairdryer, but you could borrow one from the front desk. I'd definitely stay there again.

We rented a car at CDG last month and drove to a B and B outside of Caen. The drive from Caen to Bayeux is very easy so staying in Bayeux is not mandatory. The place we stayed was great. Old 17th century home with 4 rooms. Owner is American with French wife. Rate for largest room was $60.00 per night. It is listed in Karen Brown's book. Name is Manior des Tourpes. Owner is Mike Cassady. Email is [email protected]. Check it out. We will stay there again and the other couples staying there also had similar comments.

Took the train to Bayeux and it was a straight shot. We made train reservations ahead. Think there are a couple trains each day, but not hourly service as to other destinations. The tapestry is wonderful, but now some historians are saying Queen Matilda didn't actually make it herself (I prefer to think she did!) In Bayeux is also the Museum of the Battle of Normandy, a good place to start your touring of the area. As recommended above, try to see Honfleur, a beautiful little fishing village where the impressionists used to paint. Also, Calvados is nearby and you can take a tour of the distillery. I'm not too great with hotel suggestions. We ate at a small nice hotel in Bayeux called La Marmite and then stayed at the Ferme St. Simeon outside of Honfleur. Lovely area, enjoy.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. We can't wait to head off to Normandy. <BR> Tom

When we were in Bayeux(May 2000) we stayed at the Hotel Notre Dame which is right across the street from the Cathedral and within walking distance to the Tapestry and the TI. Cost was around 550ff for 2 which included breakfast and an excellent Dinner in a fine dining room. (#02 31 92 87 24, fax 02 31 92 67 11, Madame Magne) Don't miss the War Memorial Museum in Caen. Takes about 2 hrs to visit and is much better than the museum in Bayeux and a good introduction before the D-Day beaches. Personally I would rent a car from the airport as your train connections to Bayeux would probably take up time and not match your arrival schedule. That way you can be on your way quickly. Also a car gives you the flexibility to visit either, Giverney, Rouen, Honfleur, or Caen for a couple of hours on your way to Bayeux. <BR>Good Luck, Carl

Tom, <BR> <BR>We took the train from Paris to Caen, picked up a car there and drove to Bayeux. Easy. I think there are more trains to Caen than Bayeux, so you might want to consider Caen as an option. <BR> <BR>Dinner at Hotel Notre Dame is excellent.I thought our room was adequate, but nothing special. The Bayeux tapestry is extremely well displayed and Normandy is impressive all the way around. <BR> <BR>Have a good trip, <BR>Michele